Fated To Three, Betrayed By All… Until She Rose novel Chapter 23

**Healing Slowly But Surely**
By R. Joseph

**FOUR YEARS LATER.**

Today marks a significant milestone—four long years since my brothers and I took the reins of our father’s company and the pack that came with it. It’s been quite the journey, one filled with challenges and triumphs, and I can proudly say we’ve transformed what was once a mediocre business into a powerhouse that even the elite are eager to partner with.

To commemorate this achievement, we were inaugurating a new branch in Pennsylvania, and the invitation list was overflowing with friends and family, all eager to join in the celebration.

The atmosphere buzzed with excitement, wine glasses clinking together in a harmonious symphony, while soft music floated through the air, creating a warm backdrop for the festivities. Yet, in the midst of this delightful chaos, my gaze was unwaveringly drawn to one person—Chalice.

My Chalice.

She was a beacon of light in the crowd, her striking red dress hugging her figure perfectly, and her auburn hair cascading like a waterfall down her back. The brilliance of her smile seemed to illuminate the entire hall, making it impossible for anyone to look away. It was astonishing to see how much she had blossomed over the past four years. After years of schooling, she had transformed into an impeccable young woman, captivating everyone around her.

She was not just a woman; she was the one who had stolen the hearts of me and my brothers.

As she gracefully navigated through the throng of guests towards me, a smile broke across my face, filled with admiration for the magnificence she exuded. Her hips swayed gently, as if dancing to an unspoken rhythm, and when her electric blue eyes met mine for a fleeting moment, my heart skipped a beat. Her lips curled into a smile that sent warmth flooding through me.

We should have been married four years ago. She should have been mine—ours—by now. But fate had other plans. Today also marked four years since Leilani vanished from our lives, leaving us in a state of limbo. Because of that unresolved bond, pursuing a mating ritual with Chalice had become a complex and painful ordeal.

I couldn’t move forward with Chalice when my true mate was still out there, somewhere, alive and inexplicably tied to me.

And for that, I loathed Leilani with every fiber of my being.

“Kael!” Chalice exclaimed, her voice bubbling with excitement as she leapt into my arms, wrapping her arms around my neck.

The sweet scent of her vanilla perfume enveloped me, intoxicating my senses. I didn’t care who was watching; I pulled her closer, reveling in the moment. And oh, how the eyes of those around us were glued to us—some filled with envy, others with admiration.

“I missed you like crazy!” I murmured against her ear, a smile spreading across my face when I felt her shiver in response.

“Oh, I missed you too!” she squealed, burying her face into my neck. After a moment, she pulled back to take a good look at me. “You look so good!”

“I look like absolute trash compared to you.”

Her cheeks flushed a bright pink at my words, and she lowered her gaze, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. “You flatter me, Kael!”

But I wasn’t flattering her; she was mesmerizing.

Beautiful—still shy, still innocent—but utterly captivating.

My heart raced as she leaned in to plant a gentle kiss on my cheek, and with her arm entwined with mine, she led me toward the small gathering where my brothers stood alongside our business partners.

“Patrick!” one of our friends whistled, a teasing lilt in his voice. “Luna.”

Although Chalice wasn’t formally married to us yet, the members of our pack had already begun to embrace her as one of their own. They adored her, and I could see the affection reflected in her quick willingness to help them whenever they needed it.

“Oh, don’t flatter me!” she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with joy. “How are you, Pat?”

Caelum and Zevran leaned in closer, their expressions lighting up with delight as they took in Chalice’s presence. They moved in to kiss her flushed cheeks, and my heart swelled with pride when she returned the affection, leaning in to kiss me once more.

Our playful banter came to a halt when a commanding figure entered the hall—Alpha Jarek Frostclaw, the business mogul we had been trying to court for several months. He was a fierce billionaire, someone we all looked up to and aspired to work with.

He carried an air of elegance that made my heart momentarily falter, and as he approached, there was something unnervingly familiar about him.

Shaking off the feeling, I stepped forward, my brothers following suit. “Welcome to our branch opening, Alpha Frostclaw. It’s a pleasure to have you here.”

Frostclaw was known for his cold demeanor, and true to form, he simply offered me a curt nod and muttered, “It’s nice to meet you too.”

Chalice, sensing the tension, quickly released my arm and extended her hand toward him with a soft smile. “I’m Chalice Blackthorne. It’s nice to finally meet you, Alpha Frostclaw. I’ve heard so much about you.”

“The pleasure’s all mine,” he replied, his tone flat. I caught the skeptical glance he shot at her outstretched hand, and my heart sank as she dropped it in embarrassment.

Today, my brothers and I had invited him and his lead medical engineer to discuss a potential partnership. We had heard whispers that they were on the verge of unveiling a groundbreaking prototype designed to help wolfless wolves either reconnect with their wolves or genetically enhance them to possess the strength of full-blooded werewolves. We were eager to be a part of that project.

This endeavor was not just about business; it was a chance to help the runts and omegas in our pack, like Leilani, if we ever found her, while also tapping into the immense wealth that such an investment could bring.

Frostclaw, Inc. had been making waves in the tech and AI sectors for both humans and werewolves. Their net worth had skyrocketed from hundreds of millions to hundreds of billions, making it a no-brainer for us to want to align ourselves with them.

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